This year, I competed in my 2nd Crossfit Games. It was definitely harder this year but I expected nothing less than that. The bars are set higher and higher each year (no pun intended :)).

The sport is growing. People (younger and older) are developing new/improving skills and making their training a little tougher each year to try to become as prepared as possible for whatever Dave Castro throws out. If you haven’t noticed already, he likes to change it up and surprise people with new variations of workouts, movements, etc.

My coach and I try hard to make sure I work on everything possible so nothing is a complete shock. But there is always one thing that will be put in a WOD that we totally didn’t think about. For example, this year the final wod was 27 chest to bar pull ups and 2 rounds of D.T. with an axel bar. I had not worked with an axel bar in a year or two. So that was a surprise. I only had about 5 minutes to warm up and feel out the axel bar before that event started.

But in situations like that, I can’t panic. I have to figure out a way to get through it. It takes a ton of focus and positivity.

Other things that I learned:

Everything becomes more difficult each year.

Stay focused on the goal no matter what happens.

Quickly learn to overcome the obstacles that get in your way.

There’s no room for negativity or emotion when its “Go Time”.

I need to add more running to my training.

I can always push harder, even if I think I am going hard enough.

There are definitely more but these are some of the main ones.

Oh! and one more…

Ice cream and Olive Garden bread sticks taste so good after competing!! 😀

Things that I changed from last year…

Programming/Coach

– The day after returning home from the 2015 CrossFit Games, I started working with Coach Dave Tillman in his MADathlete program at CrossFit Cedar Park. This included an increase amount of volume and hours in my training.

Nutrition Plan

-I experimented with the kinds of food and quantities that I was consuming. I found and stuck with the way that worked best for me and it helped me a ton. Last year going into the Games, I was eating the right foods but I wasn’t consistent with it. I wasn’t eating the same amount of food everyday.

-This year, I was consistent and ate the same amount of food everyday (with very few/minor changes along the way).

More hours at the gym…

-Whenever possible, I was at the gym working out 2x per day. It made it easier when summer break came. But during the school year, I would train early morning in my garage and after school, I at the gym.

My mental game…

-Last year after competing in the 2015 CF Games, I posted a reflection of my experience there. One thing that I put as “What I learned” was that the thing that sets everyone apart is mental toughness.

-After last year, that was the biggest thing that I worked on everyday. Pushing myself to that “dark place”. Making myself do workouts that, before, I would not make myself do. Basically training myself to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

-I definitely noticed that my hard work paid off.

I placed 5th in the 2016 Reebok Crossfit Games (3 spots higher than last year).

I’m not completely satisfied with it. I am going to use that to fire me up to do even better next year.

Yes… I am happy to see that I improved from last year and I am proud of all the work I put in. But I want more. I want to stand at the top of that podium.

I’m super excited to see what this next year brings!!

Big thanks to everyone that watched and supported me.

Thank you to my MADathlete fam. that pushed me and through training.

Coach Dave!… I cannot thank you enough for all of the time, patience, and help. I have learned so much.

Lastly…

I am super grateful to have the support from my parents and sisters.

To my sisters: I have to recognize them both for all of their support and extra hours they spend at the gym or tagging along to competitions. Thank you. 🙂

To my mom and dad: Thanks for being such strong role models and the biggest supporters. I love you guys so much.

This past week I have been competing and spectating at the 2015 Reebok Crossfit Games. I competed on July 21-23.

This has been the best experience. I have been working so hard, everyday, to get ready for the Games. And this past week has reflected all of the work I have put in.

I have also learned so much and kind of what to expect for next year:

1.) Don’t pack all of your clothes with you. Just don’t.

2.) The thing that sets everyone apart is mental toughness.

3.) Don’t beat yourself up.

4.) The WODs feel like they go by fast (even if they may be 20 min long).

5.) Have FUN!

6.) Leave it all on the competition floor.

One of the questions that I have been asked was “Were you nervous at all?” My answer was “Yes.” I wasn’t really nervous at all until it was time for me to walk out, or going through the tunnel that led to the competition floor. But I wasn’t fearing that I may not do well or I may not be able to beat the other girls in the WOD. I think it was more of excitement. I was excited to show the world what I can do, that I have put in time and effort to make it where I am today. The most important thing that I did this week was have fun and give it my all.

So the the question, again, is “Were you nervous?”

“Yes, nervous not meaning worried, but meaning excited.”

Thank you to my Coach Jeff Mckinney for all of the programming, help, and support this past year to get me where I am now. I am going to miss you while you are living in California. But I now that good opportunities are coming your way!

I want to thank everyone for all of your support through my Crossfit Journey. This has been such a busy and fun filled year.

Bring it on 2016!! #SMITH150

And congrats to Ben Smith and Katrín Davíosdóttir for earning the title as Fittest on Earth!

Thank you to everyone who came out. And thank you soooooo much to the people that donated. The donations will go to my trip to the Crossfit Games. The money over my goal will be donated to the Flatwater Foundation.

I just want to shoutout Jenn Jones for being so supportive and being such an inspiration. Thank you for coming out and throwing down with me! It was so much fun!!

Now that school is out, I am focusing on training 100% for the Crossfit Games. I’m starting to go to my gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning to lift and do some mobility/skill work with my coach. Then on Tuesday and Thursday morning I go on a 2 mile run in my neighborhood. And as usual, I will work out at 6pm everyday. I am SOOO pumped!!